Week 6- Painful Joints Flashcards
How does gout usually present?
Sudden onset of pain in joint, gradually worsening over 24hrs
What is tophaceous gout
Tophaceous gout happens when uric acid crystals form masses of white growths around the joints and tissues already affected by gout
What is used to treat gout?
NSAID- Colchcine
What are some non-modifiable risk factors for gout?
Age
Male
Genetics
What are some modifiable risk factors for gout?
Alcohol consumption
High fructose sweetened drinks
High meat and seafood consumption
Heart disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidaemia
Renal disease
Drugs
What causes gout?
Increased urate production or underexcretion of uric acid can increase serum urate levels beyond the solubility threshold, accelerating the formation of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals in and around the joints
Mobilization of MSU crystals could trigger an inflammatory responseknown as gout flares
What are the symptoms of sepsis?
High or low temperature
Tachycardia
Tachypnoea
Low blood pressure
Confusion/drowsiness
Cold hands and feet
Reduced urine output
Hypoxia
How might septic arthritis present?
Hot inflamed, swollen, tender joint
If septic arthritis (or gout) is suspected how would you investigate?
Aspirate joint and send blood cultures
How can gout be prevented?
Deal with lifestyle factors
Reduce uric acid production with allopurinol
How is septic arthritis treated?
Antibiotics
What are some symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Early morning stiffness
Tiredness
Painful, swollen joints
Functional loss
How is Rheumatoid Arthritis diagnosed?
Multiple joints involved with pain, tenderness and swelling
Symptoms for weeks to months
Blood tests
Signs of inflammation
Antibodies to cyclic citrinullated peptide (anti-CCP antibody) and/or rheumatoid factor
What medications are used to suppress inflammation in the treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis?
NSAIDs
Corticosteroids
What drugs are used to suppress the immune system in the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
Methotrexate
Start once diagnosis made
